Canzelle Alpacas — Attraction in Toro Canyon

We made a day trip from the SFV to Carpenteria, with Canzelle Alpacas being the cornerstone of the trip. It's a truly enjoyable and recommendable place.

The ranch lays on a hillside above the town, giving it wonderful ocean views. The hillside is a little intimidating upon arrival - you park at the top and walk down to the barn for the tour. However, the tour is mostly all at the same elevation, so the first impression of the hill isn't really indicative of the experience.

The tour starts in a large corral with a dozen or so alpacas. You're given instructions on how to interact with the animals and then sent in to do it. After a little bit you're given a bowl of feed to share with them. We had both Karen and the owner guiding us through the experience. They gave good instruction and plenty of anecdotes and facts. You move as a group from the corral to the pens where the males are kept. You're supplied with carrots and allowed to wander and feed. You then move into a corral where the females are kept. From there you return to the starting point, but pass by a water buffalo along the way. The ranch also has a cat, dogs, sheep, goats, chickens and peafowl, all just free-ranging and doing their own things. You can feel the love for all of the animals; they lead great lives for animals. The tour lasts roughly an hour.

The alpacas are rather curious animals. They all display their own unique personalities. Many of them are coy. Many also have the catlike trait of calling for a hand to pet them but turning away from it when offered, lol. However, there were plenty on my tour who were able to snuggle cheek to cheek and to drape themselves over the animals for photos. Everyone on my tour - including me and my wife - were thoroughly smitten by the alpacas. I highly recommend Canzelle Alpacas for a...

Favorite SB animal experience. You get to pet, feed, hose down, and take pictures with these calm babes.

Parking is on the side of street across from the first alpaca enclosure you see on your left. You'll walk down hill to start your tour. Restroom onsite, gift shop upstairs.

Alpacas were very pleasant. They'll blow air before they resort to spitting so you really have to piss them off before they resort to doing that. There's also a farm cat, water bison, and some goats.

Tour starts with some history, you'll go see the females first (the ones you park next to). Then you'll let Karen know when you're ready to feed the males across the road. There are some by themselves and a group of them in the open space at the back. I'd recommend to save a few carrots in your pocket for the male group to get a good picture with many alpacas in the background. You'll be able to cool the alpacas off with a hose and hang with your group but feel free break off and roam! You'll feed the water bison as a group as the...

Spectacular experience! We actually arrived late due to terrible traffic but the tour guide extended the time so that we were able to spend quality time with the alpacas! Our guide was Humberto and he was hilarious! His comments and antics had us laughing the entire time. He would come up with the most outrageous poses that he would then demonstrate to us so that we could do them. You can tell how much he adores the alpacas he works with and how much they trust him as he moves them into position for photos LOL! Such a blast.

The alpacas are fluffy, sweet, and adorable. They were shaved for the summer but they left the wool around their heads and legs. I thought it was so funny that they did that! For $25 ish, this experience is totally worth it. He even gave a complimentary gift to our bride which totally made her bachelorette that much better! I will definitely come back or recommend this cute farm to everyone!

Keep going up the hill until you see alpacas and white picket fences...